town, northwestern Lithuania. It lies along the Virvyčia River. The first oil refinery in the Baltic states began operation in 1980 about 12 miles (20 km) northwest of the town, processing crude oil brought by a pipeline completed in 1977. The refinery was designed to supply fuel for a thermal power station at Elektrenai (1972). Mazeikiai, a small town of about 13,500 people in 1970 just before refinery construction began, nearly doubled in size during the construction period. The town is a road and rail junction with diversified manufacturing, including food-processing and electronics industries. It has a theatre and a museum. Pop. (2001) 42,675; (2006 est.) 40,925.